Tertiary carbinamines having substituted heterocycles which are active as β-secretase inhibitors for the treatment of alzheimer&#39;s disease

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to tertiary carbinamine compounds having substituted heterocycles, which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme, and are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer&#39;s disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of U.S.provisional applications Ser. Nos. 60/644,924, filed Jan. 19, 2005, and60/652,421, filed Feb. 11, 2005.

REFERENCE TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

This invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within thescope of a Joint Research Agreement between Merck & Co., Inc. andSunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a class of tertiary carbinamines havingsubstituted heterocycles which are useful as inhibitors of theβ-secretase enzyme, and to the treatment of diseases in which theβ-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the abnormal deposition ofamyloid in the brain in the form of extra-cellular plaques andintra-cellular neurofibrillary tangles. The rate of amyloid accumulationis a combination of the rates of formation, aggregation and egress fromthe brain. It is generally accepted that the main constituent of amyloidplaques is the 4 kD amyloid protein (βA4, also referred to asAββ-protein and βAP) which is a proteolytic product of a precursorprotein of much larger size. The amyloid precursor protein (APP or AβPP)has a receptor-like structure with a large ectodomain, a membranespanning region and a short cytoplasmic tail. The Aβ domain encompassesparts of both extra-cellular and transmembrane domains of APP, thus itsrelease implies the existence of two distinct proteolytic events togenerate its NH₂— and COOH-termini. At least two secretory mechanismsexist which release APP from the membrane and generate soluble,COOH-truncated forms of APP (APP_(s)). Proteases that release APP andits fragments from the membrane are termed “secretases.” Most APP_(s) isreleased by a putative α-secretase which cleaves within the Aβ proteinto release α-APP_(s) and precludes the release of intact Aβ. A minorportion of APP_(s) is released by a β-secretase (“β-secretase”), whichcleaves near the NH₂-terminus of APP and produces COOH-terminalfragments (CTFs) which contain the whole Aβ domain.

Thus, the activity of β-secretase or β-site amyloid precursorprotein-cleaving enzyme (“BACE”) leads to the abnormal cleavage of APP,production of Aβ, and accumulation of β amyloid plaques in the brain,which is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (see R. N. Rosenberg,Arch. Neurol., vol. 59, September 2002, pp. 1367-1368; H. Fukumoto etal, Arch. Neurol., vol. 59, September 2002, pp. 1381-1389; J. T. Huse etal, J. Biol. Chem., vol 277, No. 18, issue of May 3, 2002, pp.16278-16284; K. C. Chen and W. J. Howe, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm,vol. 292, pp 702-708, 2002). Therefore, therapeutic agents that caninhibit β-secretase or BACE may be useful for the treatment ofAlzheimer's disease.

The compounds of the present invention are useful for treatingAlzheimer's disease by inhibiting the activity of β-secretase or BACE,thus preventing the formation of insoluble Aβ and arresting theproduction of Aβ.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to tertiary carbinamine compoundshaving substituted heterocycles, which are useful as inhibitors of theβ-secretase enzyme, and are useful in the treatment of diseases in whichthe β-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. Theinvention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprisingthese compounds, and the use of these compounds and compositions in thetreatment of such diseases in which the β-secretase enzyme is involved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I):

wherein:X is a heteroaryl group having 5 or 6 ring atoms;Q¹ is —C₀₋₃ alkylene, wherein said alkylene is unsubstituted orsubstituted with one or more

-   -   (1) halo,    -   (2) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl,    -   (3) —OH,    -   (4) —CN,    -   (5) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, and    -   (6) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl;        R¹ is selected from the group consisting of    -   (1) —C₆₋₁₀ aryl,    -   (2) heteroaryl,    -   (3) —C₁₀ alkyl, and    -   (4) —C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, said cycloalkyl optionally fused to a        C₆₋₁₀ aryl group    -   wherein said R¹ alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl moiety is        unsubstituted or substituted with one or more        -   (a) halo,        -   (b) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, wherein said alkyl is unsubstituted or            substituted with halogen,        -   (c) —OH,        -   (d) —CN,        -   (e) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,        -   (f) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, and        -   (g) —NR^(a)R^(b), wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are selected from            the group consisting of            -   (i) hydrogen,            -   (ii) C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, and            -   (iii) C₀₋₆ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   or R^(a) and R^(b) are linked together with the N atom                to form a carbocyclic group having four or five ring                carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the ring carbon                atoms may be replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a                —(C═O)— or —SO₂— group;                R² is selected from the group consisting of    -   (1) hydrogen,    -   (2) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, and    -   (3) —C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,    -   wherein said R² alkyl or alkenyl is unsubstituted or substituted        with one or more        -   (a) halo,        -   (b) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl,        -   (c) —OH,        -   (d) —CN,        -   (e) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,        -   (f) —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, or        -   (g) heteroaryl,        -   and said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl moiety above            is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more            -   (i) halo,            -   (ii) —OH,            -   (iii) —CN,            -   (iv) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,            -   (v) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or            -   (vi) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl;                R³ is selected from the group consisting of    -   (1) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,    -   (2) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-heteroaryl,    -   (3) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-N-carbocyclic group, said N-carbocyclic group        having from 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and optionally having one        ring double bond, wherein one or more of the ring carbon atoms        may be replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—, —(C═O)— or        —SO₂— group, said N-carbocyclic group optionally fused to a        C₆₋₁₀ aryl,    -   (4) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C-carbocyclic group, said C-carbocyclic group        having from 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and optionally having one        ring double bond, wherein one or more of the ring carbon atoms        may be replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—, —(C═O)— or        —SO₂— group, said C-carbocyclic group optionally fused to a        C₆₋₁₀ aryl,    -   (5) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q⁴-C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,    -   (6) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q⁴-C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,    -   (7) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q⁴-C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, or    -   (8) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q⁴-C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,        -   wherein said R³ alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl,            N-carbocyclic, C-carbocyclic, aryl and heteroaryl moieties            are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more            -   (a) halo,            -   (b) —OH,            -   (c) —CN,            -   (d) —NO₂,            -   (e) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,            -   (f) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,            -   (g) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl,            -   (h) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   (i) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   (j) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,            -   (k) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₀₋₃ alkylene —C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   (l) —S(═O)₂—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,            -   (m) —S(═O)₂—C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   (n) heteroaryl,            -   (o) —C(═O)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,            -   (p) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-N-carbocyclic group, said                N-carbocyclic group having from 3 to 12 ring carbon                atoms and optionally having one ring double bond,                wherein one or more of the ring carbon atoms may be                replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—, —(C═O)— or                —SO₂— group, said N-carbocyclic group optionally fused                to a C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   (q) —CO₃ alkylene-C-carbocyclic group, said                C-carbocyclic group having from 3 to 12 ring carbon                atoms and optionally having one ring double bond,                wherein one or more of the ring carbon atoms may be                replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—, —(C═O)— or                —SO₂— group, said C-carbocyclic group optionally fused                to a C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   (r) —(C═O)—OH,            -   (s) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-(Q²)_(m)—NR^(c)R^(d), wherein R^(c)                and R^(d) are selected from the group consisting of                -   (i) hydrogen,                -   (ii) C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, and                -   (iii) C₀₋₆ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,                -   or R^(c) and R^(d) are linked together with the N                    atom to form a carbocyclic group having four or five                    ring carbon atoms, wherein one or more of the ring                    carbon atoms may be replaced with an N, O or S atom,                    or a —(C═O)— or —SO₂— group,            -   and said alkyl, alkylene, cycloalkyl, C-carbocyclic,                N-carbocyclic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety above is                unsubstituted or substituted with one or more                -   (i) halo,                -   (ii) —OH,                -   (iii) —CN,                -   (iv) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,                -   (v) —C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,                -   (vi) —C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl,                -   (vii) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,                -   (viii) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl,                -   (ix) —C₀₋₃ alkylene —C₆₋₁₀ aryl,                -   (x) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or                -   (xi) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₀₋₃ alkylene —C₆₋₁₀ aryl;        -   and Q², Q³ and Q⁴ are selected from the group consisting of            -   (a) —S(═O)_(n)—,            -   (b) —S—,            -   (c) —O—,            -   (d) —NR^(e)—            -   (e) —NR^(e)—S(═O)_(n)—,            -   (f) —NR^(e)—C(═O)—(O)_(m)—            -   (g) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—            -   (h) —O—C(═O)—, and

-   -   -   -   wherein R^(e) is selected from the group consisting of                -   (i) hydrogen,                -   (ii) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,                -   (iii) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,                -   (iv) heteroaryl,                -   (v) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,                -   (vi) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,                -   (vii) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, or                -   (viii) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₀₋₃ alkyl-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,            -   and R^(f) is a one to four cyclic carbon chain, wherein                one or more of the cyclic carbon atoms may be replaced                with an N, O or S atom, or a —(C═O) or SO₂ group;                m is 0 or 1,                n is 1 or 2,                and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and                individual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.

The present invention is also directed to the use of the compoundsdisclosed herein as inhibitors of β-secretase enzyme activity or β-siteamyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme (“BACE”) activity, in apatient or subject such as a mammal in need of such inhibition,comprising the administration of an effective amount of the compound.The terms “β-secretase enzyme,” “β-site amyloid precursorprotein-cleaving enzyme,” and “BACE” are used interchangeably in thisspecification. In addition to humans, a variety of other mammals can betreated according to the method of the present invention.

The present invention is further directed to a method for themanufacture of a medicament or a composition for inhibiting β-secretaseenzyme activity in humans and animals comprising combining a compound ofthe present invention with a pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, X is a five or six memberedheteroaryl selected from the group consisting of

Particularly preferred X groups include:

In preferred embodiments of the invention, Q¹ is CH₂. In more preferredembodiment of the invention, Q¹ is CH₂ and R¹ is phenyl (preferablyunsubstituted phenyl).

In preferred embodiments of the invention, R² is —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, morepreferably —C₁₋₃ alkyl, most preferably unsubstituted —C₁₋₃ alkyl(preferably unsubstituted methyl).

In preferred embodiments, R³ is selected from the group consisting of

(1) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,

(2) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-heteroaryl,

(3) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-N-carbocyclic group, and

(4) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C-carbocyclic group, optionally substituted as above.Preferred heteroaryl groups include 6-membered heteroaryl rings havingone nitrogen, such as pyridyl.

In other preferred embodiments, R³ is selected from the group consistingof —C₀ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl and C₀ alkylene-heteroaryl. Preferredheteroaryl groups have five or six ring atoms.

Thus, in one embodiment, the compounds of the invention are compounds offormula (II)

More preferably, the compounds of the invention are compounds of formula(II′)

In certain embodiments of the compounds of formula (II) and (II′), R³ is—C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl or —C₀₋₃ alkylene-heteroaryl, wherein saidheteroaryl has from 5 to 10 ring atoms, optionally substituted asdefined above.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a compound which isselected from the title compounds of the following Examples andpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

As used herein, the term “alkyl,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means a saturated straight or branched chain hydrocarbonradical having the number of carbon atoms designated (e.g., C₁₋₁₀ alkylmeans an alkyl group having from one to ten carbon atoms). Preferredalkyl groups for use in the invention are C₁₋₆ alkyl groups, having fromone to six carbon atoms. Exemplary alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, andthe like.

As used herein, the term “alkylene,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means a saturated straight or branched chain divalenthydrocarbon radical having the number of carbon atoms designated. Theterm C₀ alkylene (for example, in the radical “—C₀alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl”)represents a bond, and means that the alkylene group is absent.

As used herein, the term “alkenyl,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicalhaving a single carbon-carbon double bond and the number of carbon atomsdesignated (e.g., C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl means an alkenyl group having from twoto ten carbon atoms). Preferred alkenyl groups for use in the inventionare C₂₋₆ alkenyl groups, having from two to six carbon atoms. Exemplaryalkenyl groups include ethenyl and propenyl.

As used herein, the term “cycloalkyl,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means a saturated monocyclic, polycyclic, spirocyclic orbridged cyclic hydrocarbon radical having the number of carbon atomsdesignated (e.g., C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl means a cycloalkyl group having fromthree to twelve carbon atoms). Preferred cycloalkyl groups include C₃₋₈cycloalkyl groups, especially C₃₋₈ monocyclic cycloalkyl groups.Exemplary monocyclic cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Exemplary bridged cycloalkylgroups include adamantly and norbornyl.

As used herein, the term “carbocyclic,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means a cycloalkyl group as defined above, or anon-aromatic heterocyclic group. A non-aromatic heterocyclic group, byitself or as part of another substituent, means a carbocyclic group asdefined above, optionally having a single ring double bond, in which oneor more of the ring carbon atoms is replaced with a heteroatom (such asN, S or O), or a ring SO₂ or —(C═O)— group. For example, a non-aromaticheterocyclic ring may contain a —C(═O)—O— or —C(═O)—N— group.Carbocyclic groups contemplated for use in the invention include singlering structures, fused ring structures, bridged ring structures orspirocyclic structures. Suitable non-aromatic heterocyclic groups foruse in the invention include piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl,tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl andimidazolildinyl.

Carbocyclic groups may be fused to C₆₋₁₀ aryl or heteroaryl rings havingfrom 5 to 10 ring atoms.

A “C-carbocyclic group” as used herein represents a carbocyclic radicalwhich is attached at a cyclic carbon. Preferred C-carbocyclic groupshave five or six ring atoms.

An “N-carbocyclic group” as used herein represents a carbocyclic radicalwhich is attached at a cyclic nitrogen. Preferred N-carbocyclic groupshave five or six ring atoms.

When a non-aromatic heterocyclic group as defined herein is substituted,the substituent may be bonded to a ring carbon atom of the heterocyclicgroup, or to a ring heteroatom (i.e., a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur),which has a valence which permits substitution. Preferably, thesubstituent is bonded to a ring carbon atom. Similarly, when anon-aromatic heterocyclic group is defined as a substituent herein, thepoint of attachment may be at a ring carbon atom of the heterocyclicgroup, or on a ring heteroatom (i.e., a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur),which has a valence which permits attachment. Preferably, the attachmentis at a ring carbon atom.

As used herein, the term “aryl,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means an aromatic or cyclic radical having the number ofcarbon atoms designated (e.g., C₆₋₁₀ aryl means an aryl group havingfrom six to ten carbons atoms). Preferred aryl groups for use in theinvention include phenyl and naphthyl.

The term “halo” or “halogen” includes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

As used herein, the term “heteroaryl,” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent, means an aromatic cyclic group having at least one ringheteroatom (O, N or S). Heteroaryl groups contemplated for use in theinvention may be fused single or fused ring structures. Exemplaryheteroaryl groups for use in the invention include pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl,pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl,imidazolyl, triazinyl, pyranyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thiophenyl,triazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, indolyl,quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, indynyl andbenzoxazolyl. Preferred heteroaryl groups have from five to ten ringatoms. More preferred heteroaryl groups have five or six ring atoms.

Heteroaryl groups as defined herein may be fused to a non-aromaticcarbocyclic ring.

When a heteroaryl group as defined herein is substituted, thesubstituent may be bonded to a ring carbon atom of the heteroaryl group,or on a ring heteroatom (i.e., a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur), which hasa valence which permits substitution. Preferably, the substituent isbonded to a ring carbon atom. Similarly, when a heteroaryl group isdefined as a substituent herein, the point of attachment may be at aring carbon atom of the heteroaryl group, or at a ring heteroatom (i.e.,a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur), which has a valence which permitsattachment. Preferably, the attachment is at a ring carbon atom.

Some of the compounds of the instant invention have at least oneasymmetric center. Additional asymmetric centers may be presentdepending upon the nature of the various substituents on the molecule.Compounds with asymmetric centers give rise to enantiomers (opticalisomers), diastereomers (configurational isomers) or both, and it isintended that all of the possible enantiomers and diastereomers inmixtures and as pure or partially purified compounds are included withinthe scope of this invention. The present invention is meant to encompassall such isomeric forms of these compounds.

The independent syntheses of the enantiomerically or diastereomericallyenriched compounds, or their chromatographic separations, may beachieved as known in the art by appropriate modification of themethodology disclosed herein. Their absolute stereochemistry may bedetermined by the x-ray crystallography of crystalline products orcrystalline intermediates that are derivatized, if necessary, with areagent containing an asymmetric center of known absolute configuration.

If desired, racemic mixtures of the compounds may be separated so thatthe individual enantiomers are isolated. The separation can be carriedout by methods well known in the art, such as the coupling of a racemicmixture of compounds to an enantiomerically pure compound to form adiastereomeric mixture, followed by separation of the individualdiastereomers by standard methods, such as fractional crystallization orchromatography. The coupling reaction is often the formation of saltsusing an enantiomerically pure acid or base. The diastereomericderivatives may then be converted to the pure enantiomers by cleavage ofthe added chiral residue. The racemic mixture of the compounds can alsobe separated directly by chromatographic methods using chiral stationaryphases, which methods are well known in the art.

Alternatively, any enantiomer of a compound may be obtained bystereoselective synthesis using optically pure starting materials orreagents of known configuration by methods well known in the art.

The compounds claimed in this invention can be prepared according to thefollowing general procedures.

In Scheme 1, an amino acid derivative of type 1 is converted to thecorresponding hydrazinyl amide 3 via a two step sequence. To accesscommercially unavailable amino acid derivatives, a two step alkylationof glycine Schiff base 4 can be utilized. Schiff base deprotection, Bocprotection and ester hydrolysis provides an alternate route to compound2. The alkylation of 4 for the synthesis of 5 may be performed in anenantioselective manner as described in the literature (see: K. Maruokaet al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 5228-5229 and M. North et al,Tetrahedron Lett. 2003, 44, 2045-2048).

Scheme 2 depicts the synthesis of compounds of type 2.2. Amide bondformation is mediated by polymer supported (PS) EDC, which affords thecoupled adduct upon quenching with macrophorous (MP) carbonate,filtration and concentration. Dehydration is accomplished using PS-Ph₃P,Im and CBr₄, where simple filtration and concentration provides thedesired oxadiazole, which can then undergo Boc deprotection under acidicconditions.

The term “substantially pure” means that the isolated material is atleast 90% pure, and preferably 95% pure, and even more preferably 99%pure as assayed by analytical techniques known in the art.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts preparedfrom pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids includinginorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. The compoundsof the invention may be mono, di or tris salts, depending on the numberof acid functionalities present in the free base form of the compound.Free bases and salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum,ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganicsalts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particularlypreferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodiumsalts. Salts in the solid form may exist in more than one crystalstructure, and may also be in the form of hydrates. Salts derived frompharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts ofprimary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines includingnaturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, and basic ionexchange resins, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline,N,N′-dibenzylethylene-diamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol,2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine,N-ethyl-morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine,histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine,morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines,theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine,tromethamine, and the like. When the compound of the present inventionis basic, salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptablenon-toxic acids, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acidsinclude acetic, trifluoroacetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic,camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic,hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic,methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric,succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and the like.Particularly preferred are citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric,trifluoroacetic, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric, fumaric, and tartaricacids.

The compounds of the present invention have utility in treating,ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.For example, the compounds may be useful for the prevention of dementiaof the Alzheimer's type, as well as for the treatment of early stage,intermediate stage or late stage dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Thecompounds may also be useful in treating, ameliorating, controlling orreducing the risk of diseases mediated by abnormal cleavage of amyloidprecursor protein (also referred to as APP), and other conditions thatmay be treated or prevented by inhibition of β-secretase. Suchconditions include mild cognitive impairment, Trisomy 21 (DownSyndrome), cerebral amyloid angiopathy, degenerative dementia,Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch-Type(HCHWA-D), Creutzfeld-Jalcob disease, prion disorders, amyotrophiclateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, head trauma, stroke,Down syndrome, pancreatitis, inclusion body myositis, other peripheralamyloidoses, diabetes and atherosclerosis.

The subject or patient to whom the compounds of the present invention isadministered is generally a human being, male or female, in whominhibition of β-secretase enzyme activity is desired, but may alsoencompass other mammals, such as dogs, cats, mice, rats, cattle, horses,sheep, rabbits, monkeys, chimpanzees or other apes or primates, forwhich inhibition of β-secretase enzyme activity or treatment of theabove noted disorders is desired.

The compounds of the present invention may be used in combination withone or more other drugs in the treatment of diseases or conditions forwhich the compounds of the present invention have utility, where thecombination of the drugs together are safer or more effective thaneither drug alone. Additionally, the compounds of the present inventionmay be used in combination with one or more other drugs that treat,prevent, control, ameliorate, or reduce the risk of side effects ortoxicity of the compounds of the present invention. Such other drugs maybe administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor,contemporaneously or sequentially with the compounds of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention include those that contain one or more other activeingredients, in addition to the compounds of the present invention. Thecombinations may be administered as part of a unit dosage formcombination product, or as a kit or treatment protocol wherein one ormore additional drugs are administered in separate dosage forms as partof a treatment regimen.

Examples of combinations of the compounds of the present invention withother drugs in either unit dose or kit form include combinations withanti-Alzheimer's agents, for example other beta-secretase inhibitors orgamma-secretase inhibitors; tau phosphorylation inhibitors; M1 receptorpositive allosteric modulators; blockers of Aβ oligomer formation; 5-HTmodulators, such as PRX-03140, GSK 742467, SGS-518, FK-962, SL-65.0155,SRA-333 and xaliproden; p25/CDK5 inhibitors; NK1/NK3 receptorantagonists; COX-2 inhibitors; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; NSAIDsincluding ibuprofen; vitamin E; anti-amyloid antibodies, includinganti-amyloid humanized monoclonal antibodies; anti-inflammatorycompounds such as (R)-flurbiprofen, nitroflurbiprofen, rosiglitazone,ND-1251, VP-025, HT-0712 and EHT-202; CB-1 receptor antagonists or CB-1receptor inverse agonists; antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin;N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, such as memantine andneramexane; cholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine, rivastigmine,donepezil, tacrine, phenserine, ladostigil and ABT-089; growth hormonesecretagogues such as ibutamoren, ibutamoren mesylate, and capromorelin;histamine H₃ antagonists such as ABT-834, ABT 829 and GSK 189254; AMPAagonists or AMPA modulators, such as CX-717, LY 451395 and S-18986; PDEIV inhibitors; GABA_(A) inverse agonists; neuronal nicotinic agonists;selective M1 agonists; microtobubule affinity regulating kinase (MARK)ligands; P-450 inhibitors, such as ritonavir; or other drugs that affectreceptors or enzymes that either increase the efficacy, safety,convenience, or reduce unwanted side effects or toxicity of thecompounds of the present invention. The foregoing list of combinationsis illustrative only and not intended to be limiting in any way.

The term “composition” as used herein is intended to encompass a productcomprising specified ingredients in predetermined amounts orproportions, as well as any product which results, directly orindirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in thespecified amounts. This term in relation to pharmaceutical compositionsis intended to encompass a product comprising one or more activeingredients, and an optional carrier comprising inert ingredients, aswell as any product which results, directly or indirectly, fromcombination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of theingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, orfrom other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of theingredients. In general, pharmaceutical compositions are prepared byuniformly and intimately bringing the active ingredient into associationwith a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both, andthen, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. Inthe pharmaceutical composition the active object compound is included inan amount sufficient to produce the desired effect upon the process orcondition of diseases. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions ofthe present invention encompass any composition made by admixing acompound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

Pharmaceutical compositions intended for oral use may be preparedaccording to any method known to the art for the manufacture ofpharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one ormore agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents,flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order toprovide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets maycontain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxicpharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for themanufacture of tablets. These excipients may be, for example, inertdiluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calciumphosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents,for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for examplestarch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesiumstearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they maybe coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption inthe gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over alonger period.

Compositions for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsuleswherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, forexample, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as softgelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or anoil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.

Other pharmaceutical compositions include aqueous suspensions, whichcontain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable forthe manufacture of aqueous suspensions. In addition, oily suspensionsmay be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetableoil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, orin a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. Oily suspensions may alsocontain various excipients. The pharmaceutical compositions of theinvention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions, which mayalso contain excipients such as sweetening and flavoring agents.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterileinjectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension, which may be formulatedaccording to the known art, or may be administered in the form ofsuppositories for rectal administration of the drug.

The compounds of the present invention may also be administered byinhalation, by way of inhalation devices known to those skilled in theart, or by a transdermal patch.

By “pharmaceutically acceptable” it is meant the carrier, diluent orexcipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of theformulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The terms “administration of” or “administering a” compound should beunderstood to mean providing a compound of the invention to theindividual in need of treatment in a form that can be introduced intothat individual's body in a therapeutically useful form andtherapeutically useful amount, including, but not limited to: oraldosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, syrups, suspensions, and thelike; injectable dosage forms, such as IV, IM, or IP, and the like;transdermal dosage forms, including creams, jellies, powders, orpatches; buccal dosage forms; inhalation powders, sprays, suspensions,and the like; and rectal suppositories.

The terms “effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” meansthe amount of the subject compound that will elicit the biological ormedical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is beingsought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or otherclinician.

As used herein, the term “treatment” or “treating” means anyadministration of a compound of the present invention and includes (1)inhibiting the disease in an animal that is experiencing or displayingthe pathology or symptomatology of the diseased (i.e., arresting furtherdevelopment of the pathology and/or symptomatology), or (2) amelioratingthe disease in an animal that is experiencing or displaying thepathology or symptomatology of the diseased (i.e., reversing thepathology and/or symptomatology). The term “controlling” includespreventing treating, eradicating, ameliorating or otherwise reducing theseverity of the condition being controlled.

The compositions containing compounds of the present invention mayconveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by anyof the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. The term “unit dosageform” is taken to mean a single dose wherein all active and inactiveingredients are combined in a suitable system, such that the patient orperson administering the drug to the patient can open a single containeror package with the entire dose contained therein, and does not have tomix any components together from two or more containers or packages.Typical examples of unit dosage forms are tablets or capsules for oraladministration, single dose vials for injection, or suppositories forrectal administration. This list of unit dosage forms is not intended tobe limiting in any way, but merely to represent typical examples of unitdosage forms.

The compositions containing compounds of the present invention mayconveniently be presented as a kit, whereby two or more components,which may be active or inactive ingredients, carriers, diluents, and thelike, are provided with instructions for preparation of the actualdosage form by the patient or person administering the drug to thepatient. Such kits may be provided with all necessary materials andingredients contained therein, or they may contain instructions forusing or making materials or components that must be obtainedindependently by the patient or person administering the drug to thepatient.

When treating, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk ofAlzheimer's disease or other diseases for which compounds of the presentinvention are indicated, generally satisfactory results are obtainedwhen the compounds of the present invention are administered at a dailydosage of from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg per kg of animal bodyweight, preferably given as a single daily dose or in divided doses twoto six times a day, or in sustained release form. The total daily dosageis from about 1.0 mg to about 2000 mg, preferably from about 0.1 mg toabout 20 mg per kg of body weight. In the case of a 70 kg adult human,the total daily dose will generally be from about 7 mg to about 1,400mg. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimaltherapeutic response. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of1 to 4 times per day, preferably once or twice per day.

Specific dosages of the compounds of the present invention, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for administration include 1mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 30 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg and 500 mg.Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be provided ina formulation comprising about 0.5 mg to 1000 mg active ingredient; morepreferably comprising about 0.5 mg to 500 mg active ingredient; or 0.5mg to 250 mg active ingredient; or 1 mg to 100 mg active ingredient.Specific pharmaceutical compositions useful for treatment may compriseabout 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 30 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg and 500 mgof active ingredient.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level andfrequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied and willdepend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specificcompound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of thatcompound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and timeof administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity ofthe particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy.

The utility of the compounds in accordance with the present invention asinhibitors of β-secretase enzyme activity may be demonstrated bymethodology known in the art. Enzyme inhibition is determined asfollows.

ECL Assay: A homogeneous end point electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assayis employed using a biotinylated BACE substrate. The Km of the substrateis greater than 100 μM and can not be determined due to the limit ofsolubility of the substrate. A typical reaction contains approximately0.1 nM enzyme, 0.25 μM of the substrate, and buffer (50 mM NaOAc, pH4.5, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 0.2% CHAPS, 15 mM EDTA and 1 mM deferoxamine) in atotal reaction volume of 100 μl. The reaction proceeds for 30 min and isthen stopped by the addition of 25 μL of 1 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.0. Theresulting enzymatic product is assayed by adding a ruthenylated antibodywhich specifically recognizes the C-terminal residue of the product.Streptavidin coated magnetic beads are added into the solution and thesamples are subjected to M-384 (Igen Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) analysis.Under these conditions, less than 10% of substrate is processed byBACE 1. The enzyme used in these studies is soluble (transmembranedomain and cytoplasmic extension excluded) human protein produced in abaculovirus expression system. To measure the inhibitory potency forcompounds, solutions of inhibitor in DMSO (12 concentrations of theinhibitors are prepared starting from 100 μM with three fold seriesdilution) are included in the reaction mixture (final DMSO concentrationis 10%). All experiments are conducted at rt using the standard reactionconditions described above. To determine the IC₅₀ of the compound, afour parameter equation is used for curve fitting. The errors inreproducing the dissociation constants are typically less than two-fold.

HPLC assay: A homogeneous end point HPLC assay is employed with thesubstrate (coumarin-CO-REVNFEVEFR), which is cleaved by BACE 1 torelease the N-terminal fragment attached with coumarin. The Km of thesubstrate is greater than 100 μM and can not be determined due to thelimit of solubility of the substrate. A typical reaction containsapproximately 2 nM enzyme, 1.0 μM of the substrate, and buffer (50 mMNaOAc, pH 4.5, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 0.2% CHAPS, 15 mM EDTA and 1 mMdeferoxamine) in a total reaction volume of 100 μl. The reaction isproceeded for 30 min and the reaction is stopped by the addition of 25μL of 1 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.0. The resulting reaction mixture is loaded onthe HPLC and the product is separated from substrate with 5 min lineargradient. Under these conditions, less than 10% of substrate isprocessed by BACE 1. The enzyme used in these studies is soluble(transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic extension excluded) human proteinproduced in a baculovirus expression system. To measure the inhibitorypotency for compounds, solutions of inhibitor in DMSO (12 concentrationsof the inhibitors are prepared and the concentration rage is dependenton the potency predicted by ECL) are included in the reaction mixture(final DMSO concentration is 10%). All experiments are conducted at rtusing the standard reaction conditions described above. To determine theIC₅₀ of the compound, four parameters equation is used for curvefitting. The errors in reproducing the dissociation constants aretypically less than two-fold.

In particular, the compounds of the following examples had activity ininhibiting the beta-secretase enzyme in one or both of theaforementioned assays, generally with an IC₅₀ from about 1 nM to 500 μM.Such a result is indicative of the intrinsic activity of the compoundsin use as inhibitors of beta-secretase enzyme activity.

Several methods for preparing the compounds of this invention areillustrated in the Schemes and Examples herein. Starting materials aremade according to procedures known in the art or as illustrated herein.The following examples are provided so that the invention might be morefully understood. These examples are illustrative only and should not beconstrued as limiting the invention in any way.

Intermediate 1.2: (R)—N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-α-methylphenylalanine

To a slurry of (R)-α-methyl phenylalanine (1.00 g, 5.58 mmol) in 20 μLdioxane was added 3N NaOH (7.4 μL, 22.32 mmol) and Boc₂O (1.28 g, 5.86mmol). The reaction was allowed to proceed for 14 h. The pH was loweredto ˜1 by adding 1N HCl dropwise, diluted with water, and the aqueouslayer was extracted with EtOAc (3×). Dried combined organics overNa₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to obtain the desired product as awhite foam. This was used without further purification. ¹H NMR (d₄-MeOH,400 Mhz) δ 7.25-7.17 (m, 3H), 7.12 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.27 (d, J=13.4Hz, 1H), 3.15 (d, J=13.4 Hz, 1H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.39 (s, 3H). LCMS[(M-Boc)+H]⁺=180

Intermediate 1.3:(R)—N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-α-methylphenylalaninehydrazide

To a solution of (R)—N-Boc-α-methyl phenylalanine (1.50 g, 5.37 mmol) in25 mL CH₃CN was added EDC (1.75 g, 9.13 mmol), followed by hydrazine(0.421 mL, 13.43 mmol). A white precipitate formed immediately, and thesolution gradually turned clear over 1 h. The reaction was allowed toproceed at room temperature overnight, when it was quenched by theaddition of saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution, and diluted with EtOAc.The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was washed with freshEtOAc (3×). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated to afford a white foam, which was used without furtherpurification. ¹H NMR (d₄-MeOH, 400 MHz) δ 7.27-7.20 (m, 3H), 7.11 (d,J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 3.02 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 1.46(s, 9H), 1.31 (s, 3H). LCMS [[(M-Boc)+H]⁺=194.

Example 1(R)-2-[5-(5-methyl-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-1-phenylpropan-2-amine

Step A: Amide Coupling

To a solution of 5-methyl-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid(0.051 g, 0.184 mmol, 1.8 equiv) and Intermediate 1.3 (0.030 g, 0.102mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 3 mL CH₂Cl₂ was added HOAt (0.007 g, 0.50 mmol, 0.50equiv.), diisopropylethylamine (0.034 mL, 0.200 mmol, 2 equiv.) andpolymer supported DCC (0.143 g, 0.200 mmol, 2 equiv. at 1.4 mmol/gloading on resin). After 16 h of agitation, the reaction was quenched bythe addition of macroporous carbonate (0.190 g, 0.540 mmol, 5.4 equiv,at 5.4 mmol/g resin loading). The reaction was filtered andconcentrated. LC/MS [M+H]⁺=554.

Step B: Dehydration

To a solution of adduct from Step A in 3 mL CH₂Cl₂ was added imidazole(0.035 g, 0.515 mmol, 5 equiv.), CBr₄ (0.171 g, 0.515 mmol, 5 equiv.)and polymer supported Ph₃P (0.230 g, 0.515 mmol, 5 equiv at 2.21 mmol/gresin loading). The reaction was agitated for 1.5 h, filtered andconcentrated. The residue was dissolved in DMF and purified bypreparative HPLC (5->95% CH₃CN/H₂O, 0.1% added TFA, C18 PRO YMC 20×150mm) to afford the desired oxadiazole as a viscous oil. LC/MS [M+H]⁺=536.

Step C: Boc Deprotection

To a solution of adduct from Step B in 2 mL CH₂Cl₂ was added TFA (0.200mL, 2.05 mmol, 20.0 equiv.). After 16 h, the reaction was concentrated,redissolved in DMF and purified by preparative HPLC (5->95% CH₃CN/H₂O,0.1% added TFA, C18 PRO YMC 20×150 mm), and the product containingfractions were freeze dried to afford(R)-2-[5-(5-methyl-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-1-phenylpropan-2-amineas a white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, d₄-MeOH) d 7.61-7.55 (m, 5H),7.49-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.39-7.30 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.27 (m, 3H), 6.92 (dd,J=7.1, 1.5 Hz, 2H), 3.27 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 3.19 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H),2.59 (s, 3H), 1.60 (s, 3H). Exact mass calculated for C₂₇H₂₆N₅O[(M+H)⁺]=436.2132; measured=436.2100.

The following additional compounds were made according to the generalscheme described above, using starting materials and reagents describedabove, or by using materials and reagents which are commerciallyavailable or may be obtained by the application of standard techniquesof organic synthesis to commercially available reagents. Massspectrometry data is provided below.

Example No. Structure MS: M + 1  2

376  3

334  4

334  5

326  6

340  7

284  8

315  9

313 10

373 11

441 12

356 13

438 14

503 15

457 16

335 17

351 18

334 19

376 20

285 21

356 22

339 23

347 24

386 25

384 26

343 27

320 28

439 29

376 30

313 31

315 32

363 33

377 34

315 35

429 36

425 37

395 38

343 39

287 40

349 41

362 42

313 43

348 44

329 45

359 46

360 47

406 48

328 49

377 50

419 51

365 52

376 53

310 54

320 55

362 56

436 57

377 58

398 59

376 60

375 61

363 62

356 63

438 64

374 65

311 66

398 67

390 68

379 69

411 70

433 71

294 72

322 73

356 74

295 75

295 76

295 77

319 78

344 79

310 80

324 81

362 82

348 83

349 84

334 85

370 86

352 87

324 88

436 89

405 90

494 91

435 92

459 93

429 94

427 95

382 96

445 97

385 98

551 99

376 100 

299 101 

387 102 

364 103 

310 104 

381 105 

379 106 

364 107 

390 108 

505

The following abbreviations are used throughout the text:

Me: methyl Bu: butyl i-Bu: isobutyl t-Bu: tert butyl Et: ethyl Pr:propyl i-Pr: isopropyl Ar: aryl Ph: phenyl Ac: acetyl HOAt:1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole DMF: N,N′-dimethyl formamide DMSO:dimethylsulfoxide EDTA: ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid EDC:1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide Boc: tert-butyloxycarbonyl CHAPS: 3[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate TFA: trifluoroacetic acid aq: aqueous rt:room temperature HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference tocertain particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various adaptations, changes, modifications,substitutions, deletions, or additions of procedures and protocols maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Itis intended, therefore, that the invention be defined by the scope ofthe claims that follow and that such claims be interpreted as broadly asis reasonable.

1. A compound of formula (I):

R³ is selected from the group consisting of (1) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀aryl, (2) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-heteroaryl, (3) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-N-carbocyclicgroup, said N-carbocyclic group having from 3 to 12 ring carbon atomsand optionally having one ring double bond, wherein one or more of thering carbon atoms may be replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—,—(C═O)— or —SO₂— group, said N-carbocyclic group optionally fused to aC₆₋₁₀ aryl, (4) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C-carbocyclic group, said C-carbocyclicgroup having from 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and optionally having onering double bond, wherein one or more of the ring carbon atoms may bereplaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—, —(C═O)— or —SO₂— group, saidC-carbocyclic group optionally fused to a C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (5) —C₀₋₃alkylene-Q⁴-C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (6) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q⁴-C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, (7) —C₀₋₃alkylene-Q⁴-C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, or (8) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q⁴-C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀aryl, wherein said R³ alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl, N-carbocyclic,C-carbocyclic, aryl and heteroaryl moieties are unsubstituted orsubstituted with one or more (a) halo, (b) —OH, (c) —CN, (d) —NO₂, (e)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (f) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (g) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, (h) —C₀₋₃alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (i) —O—C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (j)—C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (k) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₀₋₃ alkylene —C₆₋₁₀aryl, (l) —S(═O)₂—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (m) —S(═O)₂—C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (n)—C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, (o) —C(═O)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (p) —C₀₋₃alkylene-N-carbocyclic group, said N-carbocyclic group having from to 12ring carbon atoms and optionally having one ring double bond, whereinone or more of the ring carbon atoms may be replaced with an N, O or Satom, or a —NH—, —(C═O)— or —SO₂— group, said N-carbocyclic groupoptionally fused to a C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (q) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C-carbocyclicgroup, said C-carbocyclic group having from 3 to 12 ring carbon atomsand optionally having one ring double bond, wherein one or more of thering carbon atoms may be replaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —NH—,—(C═O) — or —SO₂— group, said C-carbocyclic group optionally fused to aC₆₋₁₀ aryl, (r) —(C═O)—OH, (s) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-(Q²)_(m)—NR^(c)R^(d),wherein R^(c) and R^(d) are selected from the group consisting of  (i)hydrogen,  (ii) C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, and  (iii) C₀₋₆ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,  orR^(c) and R^(d) are linked together with the N atom to form acarbocyclic group having four or five ring carbon atoms, wherein one ormore of the ring carbon atoms may be replaced with an N, O or S atom, ora —(C═O)— or —SO₂— group, and said alkyl, alkylene, cycloalkyl,C-carbocyclic, N-carbocyclic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety above isunsubstituted or substituted with one or more  (i) halo,  (ii) —OH, (iii) —CN,  (iv)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,  (v) —C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,  (vi) —C₂₋₁₀alkynyl,  (vii) —O—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,  (viii) —C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl,  (ix) —C₀₋₃alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,  (x) —C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or  (xi)—C(═O)—(O)_(m)—C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl; and Q², Q³ and Q⁴ are selectedfrom the group consisting of (a) —S(═O)_(n)—, (b) —S—, (c) —O—, (d)—NR^(e)— (e) —NR^(e)—S(═O)_(n)—, (f) —NR^(e)—C(═O)—(O)_(m)— (g)—C(═O)—(O)_(m)— (h) —O—C(═O)—, and

wherein R^(e) is selected from the group consisting of  (i) hydrogen, (ii) —C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,  (iii) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl,  (iv) heteroaryl (v) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,  (vi) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₂₋₁₀alkenyl,  (vii) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-Q³-C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, or  (viii) —C₀₋₃alkylene-Q³-C₀₋₃ alkyl-C₆₋₁₀ aryl, and R^(f) is a one to four cycliccarbon chain, wherein one or more of the cyclic carbon atoms may bereplaced with an N, O or S atom, or a —(C═O) or SO₂ group; m is 0 or 1,n is 1 or 2, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, andindividual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.
 2. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of (1) —C₀₋₃alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (2) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-heteroaryl, (3) —C₀₋₃alkylene-N-carbocyclic group, and (4) —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C-carbocyclicgroup.
 3. The compound of claim 1, which is a compound of formula (II′)


4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ is selected from the groupconsisting of —C₀₋₃ alkylene-C₆₋₁₀ aryl and —C₀₋₃ alkylene-heteroaryl,wherein said heteroaryl has from 5 to 10 ring atoms.
 5. The compound ofclaim 1 which is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. The compound of claim1 which is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundof claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.